A Full Circle

The year was 1990 and I was barely ten. On a summer evening, my dad came home with some guests. He beamed as he introduced them..'They were our neighbours when we were in Coimbatore..' he said..'and this..' he pointed to the tall chap who had come with the old couple..'is their youngest son who is working in XYZ firm..' The elders resumed talking..while my sister and I hurried to our room to get our hands on those comics..! Sometime later, 'You two..!' called out my mom, 'why dont you help me bring these cups of coffee?' and handed each of us a hot cup..! The tall chap was sitting closest to the kitchen, so I thought of giving him the hot cup and making a quick exit so I could go back to my comics..I went over to him and said...'Uncle..please have a cup of coffee!!' A hush fell..My dad's laughter killed the silence..'Oh oh!! you called him 'uncle'! poor chap...he isnt old enough yet!!' said my dad amid peals of laughter from everyone...! 'That's ok..!' 'uncle' said...'I'd better get used to kids calling me that way from now on..'!

I was visiting an uncle of mine, on a Sunday. I met his kids, aged 10 and 6, for the first time. While in the middle of a conversation, the younger one walked up to me and said 'Why aren't you listening to me?!! I've been calling out to you..' 'I'm sorry...I didn't hear my name being called..' 'Of course you wouldn't have..I called you 'Aunty' 'she explained...'Aunty!?!?!' That sounded queer...'You can call me Anu..' I told her..'The problem is, no one has ever called me 'Aunty' till now, so am not used to it..' 'That's wierd..' she looked confused..'I dont understand...You are working...but you are NOT 'Aunty'?!!' If that's the logic, I've got to start getting used to the new appellation, just like 'uncle' ;)!